Floor scrubbing machine



20, 1932 v. H. MENKHAus I FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE Filed Oct.. 29, 1931 v3 Sheets-Sheet 1 4' me ATTonNEY:

Sept. 20, 1932. v. H. MENKHAUS FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Shet 2 ATTORNEY5 Sept. 20, 1932. v. H. MENKHAUS FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE Filed oct. 29, 1951 s sheets-sheet 5 R O T N E V m wf? ATTOBNEYf Patented Sept. 20, `19132 y vieron ir. MENKHAUS; or' No'nwoon, OHIO c FLOOR soituiaiaiNG MACHINE Appiicanonfied october 29, 1931. serial no. 571,834.

This invention relates to cleaning apparatus and is particularly directedto a Ina-v chine for scrubbing floors.

It is an object of this invention to provide '5 improvements in floor scrubbing machines in which greater facility is provided for, scrubbing close up to the baseboard or in close quarters and'wherein the scrubbing unit effective for faster scrubbing operations be# cause of the greater spread of thebrush unit a ccomplishing greater ltroke.

I t is another ob]ect of this invention to provsweep in a given f vide a machine of this character in' which the i" water supply tanks are interchangeable and are quickly and easily removable, and wherein the water supply feed means from 'the tanks to the brushes is formed in such wise' that the opportunity for clogging is consid-y ^rably lessened and in the event of stoppagey the passagewaysmay be cleaned without disnantling any parts.

It is aV further Vobject to provide an4 im-l proved handle and aXle arrangement for this 5 type of machine using a single axleat 'theA rear wherein the handle is associated with the truck body so as to permit convenient tipping and raising` of the brush unitat the forward ond ofthe machine from the floor;y Y

A still further object is tovprovide'an inv proved machine of this type wherein the brush holder is mounted on a flexible driving connection whereby the brushes may adjust themselves to engage uniformly aga-inst the 575 floor despite a cantingof the truck body relative to the floor and wherein the brushes are all reversible in their mounting so that'in the event of undue wear at one end` or side thereof they maybe turned end for end-and quickly fastened by means of an improved attachment means. Y f -1' Other objects and certain advantages-will be more fully apparent from a description of the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view ofthe im proved floor scrubbing machine.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken online 2 2, Figure 1, illustrating therwater tanks and their control valves as well as thetruck.

construction of the machine.

Figure Sjis atop plan view ofthe truck ofthe machine withrthe tanks and motor removed for the purpose of clearer illustration.

Figure 4 is aI sectional View taken on line 4-45 Figure 3, further detailing the structure of thetruck and of the brush unit.

Figure 5' isa fragmentary perspective view of the underside ofthe brush ring orholder, illustrating a brush thereof in position.

Figure Gis a sectional viewtaken onl line 6 6, Figure 3, furthe-r detailing the brush unit and illustrating the drive thereto.V

vFigure 7 is a bottom view of the truckand `brush holder with thebru'shes removed for illustrating the brush attaching means.;

Generally described, the machinerofthe present invention comprises al truck 10 having wheels 11 at one end and carrying a brush unit Y12 at the oppositeend, Supply tanks 13 are mounted upon the truck and the wat-er therefrom is. fed under controlto the brushes'. `motorl` 14 is mounted upon the truckV for driving the brush unit. The machine is propelled by means of a handle 15 and the motorcontrol and tank outlet control are readily accessible at the handle.

Referring specifically to the drawings", the

truck 10 is square. at its rear end andcircular' at its Aforward end7 being flared outwardly from the rear end tothe forward end-.to provide ja'inountingand casing for a large circular brush1unit12 Vfor aiwide scrubbing range. The truck includes a single axl'e'lf,`

this aXlebeing-mounted in the rear of the truck Ithrough the side flanges thereofythe flanges' atfthis point beingreenforced by ribbing 19. The truck is adapted to be pivylug. beingof concave forni on its upper surface' for litting the round handle extension Voted on its w`heells`11 mounted onjthe aXle and providing a saddle or rest therefor.

i place.

The handle normally rests, due to its weight, in a rearwardly inclined position against this boss. When the operator desires, he may rock the truck on its rear axle for raising the brush unit from the floor by exerting a downward pressure on the handle, the boss 22 providing the necessary contact for the leverage action." Y

The head of the T-shaped element extends the entire distance with a very slight clearance between the side flanges of the truck and the T-shaped element may, therefore,be inserted upwardly during assembly and the* axle passed therethrough for securing it in The full width engagement of the head 'provides a stable mounting for the handlelfor steering andrigidiiiesthe axle.l Y n -The wheels 11 may beo'f a yieldablejor soft composition or may have treads of'a yieldable material for protection tothe flooring.VY The" handle is arranged between respective water tanks 13 which are mounted on a platform or rest portion 2() at the rear end Vof the truck.v These tanks may be a.

" clear water or rinsewater tank and a det-ergent or soap solution tankfrespectively.

A handle o-r cross bar 23 is formedat the upper end of the handle. kMotor control wiring25 `is extended through the tubular handie from a motor control or switch box 24 just below the cross bar, the wiring vpassing ont ofthe lower en'd of the tube through an aperture 2 6 and under the platform through anaperture27 in the forward wall of the platform to the 'motor `14which is mounted upon" theforward end ofthe truck frame.

p rPhe water tanks 13 which are set 'sideby side uponthe platform, are conveniently 'removable and attachable relative to the platform as occasion demands. Forthe purpose ofa quiet contact, the platform includes a number of rubber cushions 27, onefor each cornerof the respective tanks. The tanks are interchangeable, being ofthe same identical structure; n l v Y Each tank 13 includes a main tank portion 28o f-rectangular form, having Yits bottom 29 inclined to a discharge tube 30 for drainage purposes. The upper ends of the tanks are openand have inturned rimsl 31. Funnel members 32 are secured-within these openings, providin'gtapered mouths 33 and depending apron portions 34 extending into the tanks. Y" ,l e Y f Each tank includes attaching brackets 35 disposed centrally vof its ends', these brackets beingrigidly 'attached to the tanks and in- .cluding a iia'nge 35% through which is disposed an. attaching bolt or screw 36. These bolts are adapted to be passed through apertures inthe platform and wing nuts 36v are screwed onto the'bolts or screws from underneath the truck frame. Rubber vwashers 36 are Vinserted about'the screwsV between thelug 'of the tank and the platform for silencing the joint. Since the attaching devices are disposed centrally of the width of the tanks, it is]O apparent that the tanks are interchangea le.

The discharge tubes 30 in the false bottoms ofthe tank are adapted to it into openings inthe platform, -which openings arel at the beginning'of channels or grooves 37 extending Vforwardly and joining at the forward edge of theplatform,thence continuing in a single channel 38 raised from the general surface of the'motor support portion of the truck, this channel leading ultimately to the brushes for feeding thewater thereto.

It will be noted at this time that the feed channelgfor the water fromthe tanks to the brushes, is open at the top and therefore is very easyto clean yin case vof clogging and does :not necessitate dismantling of the machine to clean the same' for clogged feed. Thischannel is very readily brushed outand feeding of the` water or, solution is therefore always efciently accomplished.

Each tank includes a'stopper or valve 41 for controlling the discharge flow of water vthrough the tubes 30 into the channels. Each normally urging the'stopper into closed position relative to the outlet tube 30. The upper end` of eachrodextended above the tank, includes a rearwardly turned eyelet 48 to which may be attached one end of a control chain 49. This lchain 49 hasits other end attached Vto the lower end of aslidable release element 50 mounted in aguideway 51 fixed to the side of the switch box 24 on the handle 15'. lThe chain maybe fastened to-either one of the rods for stoppercontrol depending on the tank or ,container'which is being used at the time.` i, Y Y

The motor 14, to which the control wiring extends from the switch box, is bolted upon the rounded flared forward endof the truck frame and includes a transmission extended to the axisof the curved' end of the truck. Y

A transmission casing 53 as a part of the head y54 o f the motor houses a worm 55 fixed to the motor-shaft andV a wormwheel 56 fixed to a vertical shaft 57 connected to and driving thebrush unit `12 which is mounted beneath thelcircular'portion lof the truck. The transmission'ca'sing iyninelude's alarge opening its Y 58 in the top for insertion of the gearing and shaft and a bearing element v59 is fitted over the opening and attached to the housing for jouinallingthe upper end of the brush holder driving shaft 57. The worm wheel is `fixed tothis shaft 57 by means of a key and rests upon a boss GOof the casing for supporting the shaft and the brush holder and brushes which are fixed thereto. 1

The lower en d of the stub shaft 57 extends into a large sleeve portion 6l extendingup-` coupling element 62 Vattached thereto. This couplingelement 62 is attached to the lower end .of the shaft by means of al key and set screws. A series of radialextensions`- are formed as a part of the coupling element and a ring 68 of yieldable materialis attached fo the underside of .this coupling element by nie-ans of screws 64 extending upward into the outer ends'of the respective radial extensions. i Y,

The brush holder is carried by this ring 63 of yieldable material and is attached thereto by means of screws 'staggered relative to the screws 64 attaching the ring to the coupling element 62 on the drive shaft. This ator to manipulate the machine against base- Y boards. A circular flange 66 around this fl amd portion of the truck depends suflici ently for slightly surrounding the brush holder and overhanging the same. A buffer strip 67 of rubber or leather is secured around the outer face of the side flange.

VThe brush holder is circular and includes a depending outer ange 68 and a depending inner flange 69, between which flanges the brushes are secured through means 'hereinafter described. An upwardly disposed circular flange 7() is also provided coaxialA with the brush holder .surrounding the region adjacent the coupling forming a well adapted to receive the water from the water channel cast in the base or truck frame. For this purpose the water channel extends toa point adjacent the upstanding flange or sleeve 6l of tlietruck frame surrounding the coupling and includes a downward passageway 71 above and emptying into the well. From the well the water is fir-e to flow through apertures V7 2 in the base of the well onto the floor and patricularly the surface surrounded by the brushes.

A plurality of brushes 73 are mounted in .extend through a slot 77 in the outer flange of the brush holder. Each brush is reversible end for end for the Vpurpose of longer use. wardly as a part of the truck-body .and has a Ags the bristles wear toward the outer ends of the brushes, due to the contact with vertical surfaces or at Vthe sides due to continuous rotation in aparticular'direction or as any other irregular wear occurs, the brushes may be j reversed for further use. i

The inner end of each brush is maintained in position against vertical displacement by means of a spring clip 78 secured to the'inner flange of the brush holder, one clip serving fortwo brushes and having its respective ends- 7 9 slightly turned and disposed .substanitally 600 apart. The brushes are disposed within a channel defined by depending lugs 8O cast with the holder, there being four lugsfor each brush, two on veachside.

It will be noted from Figure l that initially the forward end of the truck is slightly tilted relative to the floor since, when the brushes are new. the machine is calculated tofunction iny this position. It is at this time that the flexible joint permits some canting of the holder relative to the inotordrive shaft. It will be observed from Figure 6 that the brush holder rests against a positive abutment in the form of a button 81 secured in the center Vof the underside of the coupling element and seated in a concave recess 82 inthe top of the-central lug 83-of the brush holder. Thebrush holder rocks on this button for the purposes of the tilting required when the brushes are new or when they have become Worn and the angle of the truck body relative tothe floor changes or is reversed.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. In a floor scrubbing machine, a truck includingl a tank supporting surface toward its rear, a power driven scrubbing brush unit mounted toward the forward end'of said triiclniopenrwater channels extending from said surface'to said brush unit, and water supply tanks adapted to be disposed on said' surface in outlet connection with saidwater channels.,l

' 2. In a floor scrubbing machine, a truck, a scrubbing brush unit mounted in andbeneath said truck, means for driving-said scrubbing brush unit, said truck including water` feed'grooves extending to said scrubhing brush unit, and water supply means for supplyingiwater to said scrubbing brush unit through said water feed,` grooves. Y

3. In a floor scrubbing machine, a truck l including a tank supportingsurfacega power driven brush unit mounted in and beneath said truck, supply tanks mounted on said surface, an axle mounted in saidtruck, and a T-shaped element having its head mounted on said axle and its shank extending upwardly and rearwardly between said tanks for constituting a truck manipulating handle.

4. In a floor scrubbing machine, a truck,

an axle therefor, and a l-shaped element having its head mounted on said axle, the shank of said element extending upwardly and rearwardly and constituting the steering handle for the truck.

5. In a floor scrubbing machine, a rear wheeled truck including a plane surface toward its rear, a power driven brush unit" mounted toward the forward end of said truck, water grooves extending across saidV plane surface to said brush unit, and tanks removably disposed on said plane surface including outlet connections with said water grooves.

6. n a floor scrubbing machine, a truck including a tank supporting surface, supply vtanks mounted on said surface, a scrubbing brush unit mounted 1n and beneath said truck, said truck including water feed grooves extending from said tank supporting surface to said scrubbing brush unit, and disconnectible feed connections between said. tanks and said water feed grooves.

'l'. ln a scrubbing machine,a rear Wheeled truck having a generally fiat top and providing a platform for supporting water tanks and a rounded and iiared forward end for housing and mounting a scrubbing vbrush unit, water tanks mounted on said platform, a power driven brush unit mounted in said forward end, and grooves disposed in the top surface of the truck for supplying water from said tanks to said brush unit, thel brushes of said unit adapted to effectively contact the floor beyond the flared rounded end of the truck. 8. ln a scrubbing machine, a truck including a platform at its Yrear end and a scrubbing brush unit mounted in its forward end, du-

plicatev supply tanks mounted on said platfornn grooves in the surface of said truck exf tending from said platform to said scrubbing brush unit, attaching devices on said platform and said tanks forremovably fastening said tanks 1n position for water feed into said grooves.

9. In a scrubbing machine, a rear wheeled said well.v

mits canting of the truck relative to the brush unit and the floor.

' `l0. ln a floor scrubbing machine, a truck, a scrubbing brush unit mounted incsaid truck, means for driving said scrubbing brush unit, water supply tanks on said truck, grooves in the surface of said truck extending from the tanks to the region abovel the scrubbing brush unit, said scrubbing brush unit including a rotary brush holder mounted beneath the truck frame, said brush holder having a well Vfornfied centrallythereof on its upper surface, said well including outlet ports in the bottomV thereof, and' said truck frame including a lwater feed passageway extending from the grooves for directing the water into In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name. vVICTOR H.'MENKHAUS. 

